Moran, Brownback declare victory in statewide races

Fewer than 10 percent of precincts statewide are reporting results, but already two huge prizes have been claimed in Tuesday’s elections.
U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, already has declared victory in his race for the U.S. Senate and U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Topeka, won an early concession from the Democratic nominee in the run for the governor’s mansion.

With 276 of 3,315 precincts reporting, Moran was well ahead of his main rival, Democrat Lisa Johnston, a Baker University administrator, 114,827 to 47,850 votes. With 258 of the 3,315 precincts reporting, Brownback was easily holding off State Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, 102,869 to 57,358 votes.

Holland, who estimated his campaign would be outspent by Brownback nearly 4:1, congratulated the governor-elect. Holland, noting Brownback's longstanding fight for human rights in Darfur and North Korea, he was sure Brownback would show the same "compassion for Kansans in need."

Republicans were leading in all statewide races, including Kris Kobach in the secretary of state balloting, Derek Schmidt in the attorney general balloting and Ron Estest, who is seeking to unseat incumbent State Treasurer Dennis McKinney.

Holland dismissed the idea that it was simply a bad night to be a Democrat, saying "while our candidacy did not win, our cause will always endure. Our work will go on. Our party will move forward."